Independent crypto supplier research
Vet the companies behind crypto before you sign.
Plain-English guides to the agencies, auditors, infrastructure and payment providers crypto businesses hire. Sourced, dated, and never paid for.
The ledger · latest entries
All guides →
- CI-0070 MSB Licence for Crypto: FinCEN Registration, State Licences and Cost
- CI-0069 MetaMask vs Trust Wallet (2026)
- CI-0068 Crypto Tax-Loss Harvesting: How It Works and the Wash-Sale Question
- CI-0067 Ledger vs Trezor: Security Models, Hacks and Which to Buy
- CI-0066 What Is a Sequencer? How Layer-2 Rollups Order Transactions
Every entry lists its sources and the date its facts were checked.
70Guides published
15Supplier categories
06Jurisdictions tracked
0Paid placements
The stack index
Every supplier a crypto business hires
15 categories across 5 layers. Categories still being researched say so, rather than showing an empty page.
- 01 Exchanges Transact Independent guides to centralised and decentralised crypto exchanges: how they work, licensing, fees, security track record and how to compare them. 15 guides live
- 02 KYC/AML & Compliance Comply KYC, AML and compliance vendors for crypto businesses: identity checks, transaction monitoring, Travel Rule tools and how to choose a provider. 7 guides live
- 03 Wallet & Custody Providers Build Wallet and custody providers for crypto businesses: MPC wallets, wallet-as-a-service, qualified custody, security models and how to choose. 6 guides live
- 04 Blockchain Development Studios Build How to choose a blockchain development studio: verifying shipped work on-chain, security practices, code ownership, key handover, cost and timelines. 3 guides live
- 05 Node & RPC Infrastructure Build Node and RPC infrastructure providers for crypto apps: managed nodes, RPC endpoints, indexing, uptime, pricing and how to compare them. 2 guides live
- 06 Payment Gateways & On-Ramps Transact Crypto payment gateways and fiat on-ramps compared: real fees, settlement options, licensing in the US and EU, and red flags before you sign. 2 guides live
- 07 Crypto Law Firms Comply Crypto law firms for token structuring, licensing and regulatory work: what they handle, how to compare them and questions to ask before hiring. 1 guide live
- 08 Crypto SEO Agencies Grow Independent guides to crypto SEO agencies: what they do for exchanges, wallets and protocols, how to judge their links and results, and what they cost. 1 guide live
- 09 KOL & Influencer Agencies Grow Crypto KOL and influencer agencies: how campaigns on X, YouTube and Telegram work, disclosure rules, pricing and how to spot fake reach. 1 guide live
- 10 Link Building & Digital PR Grow How crypto link building and digital PR work, which placements are safe, how to vet agencies and publishers, and what earned coverage is worth. 1 guide live
- 11 Marketing & Growth Agencies Grow Crypto marketing and growth agencies compared: services, community and paid acquisition, compliance with ad rules, pricing and red flags. 1 guide live
- 12 Smart Contract Auditors Secure Smart contract auditors explained: what an audit covers and misses, how to read a report, audit costs and how to choose a firm for your protocol. 1 guide live
- 13 Token Launchpads & Tokenomics Grow Token launchpads and tokenomics advisers: how launch platforms work, distribution and vesting design, regulatory risk and how to vet them. 1 guide live
- 14 Crypto Ad Networks Grow Crypto ad networks for brands restricted on mainstream platforms: inventory types, targeting, pricing models and how to check traffic quality. In research
- 15 Market Makers & Liquidity Transact Crypto market makers and liquidity providers: how token market-making deals work, loan and option terms, red flags and how to vet a firm. In research
Jurisdictions
The rules, by region
- US United States SEC, state money-transmitter licences & tax In research
- EU Europe MiCA & the EU rulebook In research
- UK United Kingdom FCA registration In research
- AE UAE VARA & ADGM In research
- SG Singapore MAS Payment Services Act In research
- IN India Tax & compliance In research
How we research
0
paid placements. Rankings can't be bought.
- 01SourcedClaims link to primary sources: filings, docs, audit reports.
- 02DatedEach guide shows when its facts were last checked.
- 03UnpaidNo fees for inclusion, ranking or coverage.
- 04LabelledAnything that could be an affiliate link is marked.